Golf By David McPherson “We know that the moderate physical activity which golf provides increases life expectancy, has mental health benefits, and can help prevent and treat more than 40 major chronic diseases such as heart attacks, stroke, diabetes, breast cancer and colon cancer. Evidence suggests that golfers live longer than non-golfers, enjoying improvements in cholesterol levels, body composition, wellness, self-esteem and self-worth. Given that the sport can be played by the very young to the very old, this demonstrates a wide variety of health benefits for people of all ages.” Dr. Andrew Murray, Lead Researcher – Golf & Health Project, Physical Activity for Health Research Centre at the University of Edinburgh. Beyond the physical benefits, there are many positive mental benefits which you can achieve by regularly golfing. The sport can help reduce the risk of anxiety, depression and dementia. I know what the sceptics reading this are saying right now. Reduce anxiety? Are you kidding me? Golf increases my anxiety some days – it doesn’t decrease my stress levels. As someone who has suffered the dreaded putting and even chipping yips, I can relate. Consider these scenarios. You are standing on the tee with your playing partners watching and you have to calm your nerves to hit the ball straight. Or, you are trying to sink a three-footer to save par. So sure, like life, the game causes anxiety at times but, also like life, it’s self-created. And, believe it or not, you can control these anxious attacks by focusing on being in the moment, taking a breath and just letting the club do the work. The doses of vitamin D from being outside in the sunshine and breathing in the fresh air will also counteract any self-induced anxiety. Don’t forget, however, to wear sunscreen and seek shade whenever possible. Golf can also increase your sense of self-esteem, selfworth and self-confidence, while concurrently reducing the risk of depression and dementia. Other health benefits associated with golf which are important as we age gracefully into that good night are improved balance and strength. This still needs more research, but the findings from this latest study showed that balance and muscle endurance in older people are improved by playing golf. There are also respiratory benefits; golfing leads to improved and maintained lung function. Not convinced yet? What about the social benefits of golf?While I enjoy playing a round alone once in a while, one of the parts of the game which I love the most is meeting new people and playing with friends, sharing laughs while strolling the fairways. This is another healthy benefit. No one enjoys being lonely, so grab a friend and hit the links! Everyone can enjoy these health benefits. The British Journal of Sports Medicine study found that the physical benefits of golf increase with age, and the sport’s physical andmental health benefits are seen in people of all ages, genders and backgrounds. A few caveats to make sure that you don’t counteract any of these benefits. One, beware of the halfway house (or 19th hole). Wolfing down a jumbo hot dog and tall boy at the turn or eating a cheeseburger with a cold one after you’ve marked the last score on your card, while delicious, might negate any of the health benefits which you incurred during your round. Finally, for those still keeping score, I leave you with this final thought: gracefully chasing the white ball along the fairways of life…with each passing year… it gets easier to shoot your age! For more information: www.golfandhealth.org CSANews | WINTER 2016 | 57
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